Marion, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Marion, McDowell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Marion?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 150 days in the Eastern McDowell forecast zone and McDowell County — the most common reported hazard around Marion, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (35 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 150 | Jun 2026 | May 2, 2003 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Aug 2025 | Sep 26, 2024 · 1 death · $100 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 18 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2024 | May 5, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Feb 2026 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2019 | — |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Eastern McDowell forecast zone and McDowell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Marion get?
A normal year brings about 7.1 inches of snow to Marion, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Marion weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (2.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Marion?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 56 miles south-southwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Marion | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 56 mi south-southwest | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 85 mi west-northwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 129 mi south-southeast | 14,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Marion
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Marion, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF2 on January 11, 2012, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 25, 2024, which touched down about 14 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 271 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 24, 2000.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Marion's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Marion radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Marion, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 56 miles south-southwest. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Marion?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Marion the lowest scan from KGSP is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Marion free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Marion, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Glen Alpine, NC radar 13 mi
- Montreat, NC radar 17 mi
- Spruce Pine, NC radar 17 mi
- Morganton, NC radar 17 mi
- Black Mountain, NC radar 19 mi
- Lake Lure, NC radar 19 mi
- Rutherfordton, NC radar 22 mi
- Spindale, NC radar 22 mi
- Drexel, NC radar 23 mi
- Burnsville, NC radar 23 mi